Two More Days!!

So after last week's fiasco with the broken camera which turned into a blessing in the skies, we were like what's next? Little did we know what mother nature had up it's sleeves.  The good news is that we're pretty safe from the perspective of not being in the midst of the storm. And pending the weather, there should be no delays on Thursday in Washington, DC where our connection would take us to our international destination.   What's further on mind is the the massive amount of people we're expected to see!! There are bound to have been persons who have either camped out at the airport or missed their flight from days before, and want to go HOME.

In the past we would give up our seat and take a later flight. Especially if it involves someone trying to get home with their loved one.  Often times it'll come with a perk like a $300 travel voucher and meal ticket for the "bump".  My sister and I even stayed a night or two in a hotel paid for by the airline.  But we're set to fly to Italy.  We just can't bear to miss our flights.  They'll have to offer a significant voucher amount and other perk to have either of us give up our seat.  Is that crass??

Have you ever faced a situation where you had to make a decision with flying between going forward to your destination or taking the "bump" to help someone? 

Broken Camera, But Not Broken Spirits

My sister Rhonda accidentally dropped our Canon HG10 video camera and cracked the lens yesterday while prospecting a new client. She cried a river of tears over this mishap. Yet, we came to the conclusion that our camera lens maybe broken, but not our spirits. We also found comfort in something we've heard our Dad say over our lifetime. God is our provider and he makes all of our provisions. So true!! Maybe it was a blessings in the skies.  We were told we needed to upgrade our equipment to be more professional and that will allow us to go to the next level!!

So we're leaving for Italy in 9 days, and had to scramble to find a replacement camera and accessories. We went onto Amazon.com, and took advantage of the Amazon Store credit card 12 months no interest financing.  We bought a Canon T3i camera, a new tripod, a SDHC card, card reader, and shotgun mic. These upgraded equipment should make a world of a difference in our filming capabilities, especially with sound quality. It's just a matter of learning the ins and outs of this new camera in less than a week.

Canon T3i Photo via Squidoo

Canon HG10 Photo via East Coast Photos

Udpate: Benjamin Green

Here is an updated interview from Benjamin Green upon his permanent return to the US after spending more than a decade in Asian and European countries. Click on the video link to see where this Morehouse grad has been, and what he'll like to share with Black Americans, Americans, and South Carolinians who have never considered traveling abroad.

5 Travel Tricks & Tips For Travelistas on the Go

My sister and I are prepping for our trip to Italy in less than 3 weeks, and this topic is so timely.  As we begin to individually pack and take note of the tips provided in our travel brochure with Collette Vacations, we came up with these 5 travel tricks and tips for travelistas on the go!!

#1)  Luggage- know the luggage size and weight requirements.  While many international flights include at least one checked luggage, it is important to know the size and weight requirements.  You can be accessed fees for luggage that exceed requirements or if you have one too many bags.  Please consult with scheduled airline as luggage fees and restrictions vary by carrier and destination.

#2) Clothing & Packing- during the day, a casual dress style and comfortable walking shoe is highly recommended.  You should also dress in layers that may be added or removed as the temperature changes.  It's is also suggested to pack a raincoat, umbrella, and/or waterproof shoes during rainy season.  For special evenings, smart casual attire is preferred. Jeans, shorts and sneakers are not recommended.  A dress and sandals are good options.  Other items to pack outside of clothing are a camera (still photo or video), batteries, recharging equipment (ie..cell phone), a travel alarm, sewing kit, and hand sanitizer.  You should pack in your carry-on any prescription medicine and articles of value. Avoid over packing because you may want to bring home souvenirs or new clothes.

#3) Currency- local currency is needed for meals, gratuities, and small items such as postcards and postage.  If you carry a major credit card or debit card, make sure you contact your credit card company and/or bank, and let them know where you will be traveling so that you can avoid rejection of services.  It is also recommended to to have the retailer charge in the local currency than in US dollars.  A final tip, as related to money, is to obtain local currency money through an ATM machine at the destination rather than through an exchange service at the Airport. Contact your bank for ATM locations at your destination.

#4) Long Flight- it is important that you hydrate and stretch while flying.  Getting up every 2 to 2 1/2 hour is recommended.  Drink plenty of liquids, especially water.

#5) Passport- bring a copy of your passport and other identification.  It should be packed separately from the original, and a copy left at home and a relative and/or friend, along with your itinerary (if known), and an emergency number (ie...accommodation).

Travelistas, do you find these tips helpful?

Mail Delivery & Italian Cuisine

We had a nice surprise in the mail the other day: our travel documents from Collette Vacations.  More specifically, our airline tickets and hotel reservation confirmations.  We also received our itinerary, tote bags, and a little booklet with travel tips.

Collette Vacations travel documents & tote/bag

I'll share more about the travel tips on an upcoming post as a part of the Traveling Brown Girls Blog Carnival set for Tues. Oct. 16.

Over the next few weeks as we countdown to departure, I thought I'll share some tidbits about our travel destinations of Florence and Rome, Italy.

Italy is famous for it's delicious food.  Italians eat their meals in courses during lunch and dinner.  Courses include an antipasto (appetizer); primo piatto (first course) - which is often the pasta or risotto dish; second piatto (second or main course)- which is the meat or protein; contorno (the side item); and dolce (dessert).  While you may not have all courses at each meal, you often will have at least three.

Italy is known for pasta, and it comes in many different shapes and sizes.  There is also a variety of sauces that vary from region to region.  Thin pizza with an array of toppings is also a local favorite, as well as grilled meats or seafood and fresh seasonal vegetables.

The Tuscany region is known for its hearty vegetable soup know as ribollita; pappardelle pasta with wild boar sauce; local sausages; and sheep milk cheeses.  And last, but not least, Tuscan wines.

This is short excerpt from our Collette Vacations travel guide.  I'll share more as we countdown to departure.  Less than 20 days and we're off through the skies...Take A Leap!!

Columbia's First Thursdays

In the past several months, Columbia, SC has featured a fun and entertaining event called First Thursdays in the downtown business community.  The highlight of the event is that it featured the art and culture scene of the city.  Rhonda and I filmed some of the activities and put together two YouTube videos.  The two minute version was for my second assignment in the travel fimmaking course I'm taking via MatadorU.  The three minute version was our entry into the Brazil Travel Film Scholarship for an opportunity to film The Carnival and the locals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in February 2013.  Deadline to enter the film scholarship is October 15, 2012 at 2PM Australian Eastern Time.  The winning team will be announced November 6.  Fingers crossed and prayers up!!

Check out the video links noted above, and let us know your thoughts!!

Sharee

Coach G Returns to the States

A few months ago we interviewed Coach G, a personal fitness trainer residing in Rome.  He's recently returned to the United States after 3 years abroad. We thought it'll be nice to catch up with him about Italian customs he maintains, the expansion of CoachG Fitness, and why Blacks don't travel internationally.